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M
Master Shot
A wide shot that covers an entire scene from start to finish, often the backbone that closer coverage cuts into.
Also known as: master
Match Cut
A cut that links two shots through similar composition, action, or motif so the transition feels continuous or thematic.
Matchmove
Tracking camera motion from live-action plates so CG and digital elements sit correctly in the same 3D space.
Also known as: camera tracking
Matte Painting
A painted or digitally created environment extending or replacing a set or location beyond what was photographed.
Midpoint
A structural turn near the middle of a script that raises stakes, reverses expectation, or redefines what the protagonist wants.
Mix Stage
The theater or room where the final soundtrack is balanced — dialogue, music, and effects — for delivery specs.
MOS
Shot without sync sound recording (from older production slang). Marked on the slate and call sheet when applicable.
Motion Capture
Recording an actor's or object's movement as data to drive digital characters or animation.
Also known as: mocap
N
Needle Drop
Licensed pre-existing commercial music placed in a scene, as opposed to an original score cue.
Negative Pickup
A deal where a distributor agrees to acquire a finished film (or near-finished) rather than financing production upfront.
NLE
Non-Linear Editor: software used to cut picture and sound (for example Premiere, Avid, or Resolve).
Also known as: non-linear editor
O
Off-Book
Having lines memorized so the performer no longer needs to hold the script or sides.
Offline Edit
The creative cutting phase using proxy or lower-res media before conforming to full-resolution for finishing.
One-Liner
A shooting schedule summarized as one line per scene — day, location, cast, and pages — used for planning the shoot.
Also known as: one liner schedule
Online Edit
The finishing conform of the locked cut to full-resolution media, often with final transitions and delivery masters.
Option Agreement
A contract giving a producer or studio the exclusive right, for a fee and term, to purchase a screenplay or underlying rights.
Also known as: option
OTIO
OpenTimelineIO: an open timeline interchange format for moving editorial timelines between tools and pipelines.
Also known as: OpenTimelineIO
P
Package
Attaching key elements — script, director, cast, financing interest — to make a project more financeable or saleable.
Page One Rewrite
A rewrite so substantial it effectively starts over from page one while often retaining the core idea or deal.
Also known as: page-one
Parenthetical
A brief direction under a character cue — often an attitude or small action — meant to guide how a line is played.
Pay or Play
A deal guaranteeing payment to talent or a filmmaker whether or not the project ultimately shoots.
Pickup Shot
Additional photography shot later to fill a gap, fix a problem, or add a beat missing from principal photography.
Also known as: pickups
Pitch Deck
A short visual presentation used to sell a project to financiers, studios, or collaborators — typically covering logline, tone, comparables, and key art.
Also known as: deck
Plate
The live-action footage that serves as the base layer for a VFX shot, before CG and composites are added.
Polish
A light rewrite pass that tightens dialogue, clarity, and flow without changing the core story or structure.